How-To-Guide: Fostering Psychological Safety
Psychological Safety Boosts Performance, Learning and Well-being
Psychological safety is a shared belief that it is safe to take risks, speak up, and make mistakes without fear of judgment or punishment.
A supportive environment with strong psychological safety fosters trust and encourages open communication. This creates conditions where people can learn, perform at their best, and be innovative.
Psychological safety in sport and recreation helps everyone involved by creating a positive environment that boosts performance, learning, and well-being.
When people feel safe, they experience:
Better Team Performance
Groups with strong psychological safety perform better because everyone feels free to share ideas, learn from mistakes, and support each other. This open communication helps teams learn and solve problems together.
More Learning and Creativity
People are more willing to learn and try new strategies without fear of being judged. They also recover from mistakes faster, which helps individuals and teams grow.
Less Burnout
Psychological safety helps lower stress and prevent burnout. People in safe environments are less likely to feel exhausted or mentally drained.
Stronger Connections
Teams with more psychological safety have stronger bonds. This helps everyone feel more involved, boosts mental toughness, and improves overall dynamics.
Better Mental Health
Safe and supportive environments help people build healthy habits and emotional strength, helping them thrive in both sports and life.
What happens when teams don’t have good psychological safety?
It’s a common belief that tough coaching is necessary to get the best performance from a team. In these situations, psychological safety does not exist for athletes, which can lead to the following:
Reduced Performance
Athletes subjected to harsh coaching tend to have lower performance, decreased motivation, and higher dropout rates.
Mental health issues
Bullying creates stress and anxiety, which can lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Research has shown that positive coaching is more effective. Supportive, encouraging coaching styles boost confidence, motivation, and long-term success. Athletes become more resilient when they feel safe and supported, not attacked.
In short, tough coaching might seem effective in the short term, but it harms athletes in the long run.
How to Foster Psychological Safety
Be Present and Listen Actively
- Make eye contact and eliminate distractions
- Clarify conversations to show understanding
- Value everyone’s input equally
Focus on Solutions, Not Blame
- Encourage collaboration: “How can we improve?”
- Support risk-taking without fear of punishment
Encourage Self-Awareness
- Discuss communication styles and respect differences
- Foster inclusivity through understanding
Address Negativity Quickly
- Discourage gossip and blaming
- Use constructive, solution-oriented feedback
Involve the Team in Decision-Making
- Invite shared ideas and foster a sense of “we.”
- Create a team atmosphere built on collective responsibility
Foster a Sense of Camaraderie
- Discourage blaming each other
- Celebrate diversity and empower athletes to be authentic
Build opportunities for open, candid interactions
Encourage Leadership
- Empower athletes toward a shared vision
- Provide individual support and learning opportunities
- Role model the behaviour you wish to see in others
Promote a Growth Mindset
- Encourage taking reasonable risks
- Use mistakes as learning moments, not for punishment
- Give constructive feedback and reinforce effort
